Haryana Patwari Recruitment Case: Supreme Court Ends 26-Year-Old Dispute

The Supreme Court of India, in the case of Paras Ram & Ors. vs. The State of Haryana & Ors., delivered a final ruling in a legal battle over the recruitment of Patwaris in Haryana that had been ongoing since 1992. The case revolved around the alleged irregularities in the recruitment process for 1,248 Patwari positions and the claims that unfair practices had led to the exclusion of deserving candidates.

The Supreme Court upheld a pragmatic approach by allowing the selected candidates to continue, bringing the prolonged dispute to a final conclusion.

Background of the Case

The selection process for Patwaris in Haryana was initiated in 1992. However, soon after the selection process was completed, legal challenges were filed by various candidates who had either been excluded or believed that the selection process lacked transparency. The primary concerns raised by the petitioners included:

• Allegations of favoritism and unfair selection criteria.
• Absence of a proper and transparent recruitment process.
• Claims that politically connected candidates were given an unfair advantage.

After reviewing the complaints, the Punjab and Haryana High Court passed an order on 2 August 2005, setting aside the entire selection process. However, it allowed all affected parties to participate in fresh selections, offering an age relaxation due to the delay caused by litigation.

High Court’s Judgment and Further Appeals

Following the High Court’s decision, several affected candidates approached the Supreme Court, leading to the case of Ram Avtar Patwari & Ors. vs. State of Haryana. The Supreme Court, on 28 September 2007, remanded the matter back to the High Court for reconsideration.

In 2009, the High Court issued another ruling that:

• Allowed the 1,248 selected Patwaris to continue their service.
• Provided an opportunity for the aggrieved candidates to participate in fresh selections.
• Directed the State of Haryana to conduct two more recruitment processes after 2009 to accommodate those affected by the earlier litigation.

Despite these measures, the matter remained unresolved, and it reached the Supreme Court once again in 2018.

Arguments Before the Supreme Court

Petitioners’ Arguments (Paras Ram & Others)

The petitioners, who had challenged the 2005 High Court judgment, argued that:

• The recruitment process was unfair and violated their right to a fair selection.
• The decision to allow previously selected candidates to continue was unjust as it deprived them of equal opportunity.
• The state should be directed to conduct an entirely fresh recruitment process instead of validating past selections.

Respondents’ Arguments (State of Haryana & Others)

The respondents defended the recruitment process, stating that:

• The selection process had already been reviewed and upheld by the High Court.
• The 2009 ruling had provided sufficient relief by allowing new candidates to apply.
• Further delays in the resolution of the matter would affect the administration and create unnecessary complications.

Supreme Court’s Final Decision

After nearly 26 years of litigation, the Supreme Court delivered its final verdict on 19 September 2018. The key points of the ruling included:

• The entire litigation was settled by the High Court’s 2009 judgment, and no further interference was required.
• The selection process for Patwaris, having been initiated in 1992, should now be given a quietus (conclusion).
• The lack of any substantial challenge to the 2009 High Court judgment made the current appeals without merit.

By dismissing the appeals, the Supreme Court upheld the High Court’s pragmatic approach of allowing already selected candidates to continue while ensuring that others had opportunities in fresh selections.

Impact of the Judgment

This ruling provides finality to one of the longest-running public sector recruitment disputes in Haryana. The key takeaways from the ruling include:

• Judicial finality: The Supreme Court reinforced that recruitment disputes should be settled in a timely manner to avoid uncertainty.
• Equity in selection: The ruling balanced the interests of previously selected candidates while also providing opportunities for others.
• Avoiding endless litigation: The Court emphasized the need to resolve old disputes rather than reopening past selection processes.

By upholding the High Court’s decision, the Supreme Court ensured that administrative decisions regarding public employment remain final and effective while also protecting the interests of previously selected candidates.

Petitioner Name: Paras Ram & Ors..
Respondent Name: The State of Haryana & Ors..
Judgment By: Justice Kurian Joseph, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul.
Place Of Incident: Haryana.
Judgment Date: 19-09-2018.

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